I have two Twitter accounts: one I use to post stuff like this and the other I use for my video game job. The latter one I use primarily use to get people interested in the game I am helping with so my real name is attached with it. Originally, I had one from which I did both these things but then I realized that what I posted on my Twitter may not be compatible with my boss's views. So I separated them and it got me thinking, on the Internet it is more difficult to act as you do in real life. For example: you do not act the same way at your grandmother's house (unless she is a cool grandma) as you do at your friends'. This not to say you are two different people, just there are certain social norms exclusive to each of those situations. On the Internet unless you want everyone to know what you are like in all situations, you have to create different profiles and/or usernames for each social networking site you use; because while in the real world your grandma will probably not meet your friends, and if they did they would know what not to say, on the Internet it easy to stumble upon anything. I think this is the problem plaguing people about my age and younger; when you post that photo of yourself doing something questionable or you write something that would make your grandpa roll in his grave everyone can see it, even the people.you don't want seeing it. They forget that the Internet isn't like real life, on the Internet everything is connected versus in real life you have about seven degrees of separation, a buffer if you will. On the one hand I enjoy the ability of the Internet to give people unlimited access to all sorts of knowledge but at the same time I shake my head when I hear people groan that so and so found x picture. The Internet is a tool, use it wisely.

As with many things, I don't know where I heard this comment but I suspect it was Youtube. My first thought about this was the origin of the Internet itself.

No, it was not invented by Bill Gates but like many things in life, by the US military as means to share information quicker. Now with this in mind the Internet has not changed much. People are still exchanging opinions now just in the form of pictures, videos, Tweets, and whatever else is out there. But it has also become an essential that many people can hardly imagine without. It has made people hyperconnected to the point that people can't bear to not check their phones for Facebook updates.

And yet because of this hyperconnectivity we are able to communicate faster and consume more information than ever; allowing for people to collaborate in new ways. However all this influx of information isn't good good for us either or rather the amount if time we spend consuming information is too high. See video.

So what does this all mean?

Well like many things in life: everything in moderation. Spend enough time on Tumblr to see that one GIF that has been floating around and then move onto something else. The Internet is like any other tool: it can be used for good and evil, destruction and creation, pain and pleasure. Its purpose is what we decide it to be and therefore I hope we use it to better ourselves and the world around us.

Then again I'm an optimist and the trolls out there are counteracting my hopes.

I was just watching some videos on Youtube, both featured fairly attractive woman talking about topics like video games and science. To my eyes, they were dressed fairly well/ normal. Yet for some reason, the top comments on the videos were about the appearance of the women.

Why?

Maybe it is because I feel that focusing on a woman solely for her appearance is demeaning cause I can't wrap my head around the fact that people watch these videos, which mind you brought up some interesting ideas, only to comment on the presenters of the information. That to me is akin to complimenting a TV for its picture quality after watching a thought provoking show like The Wire. I am not trying to diminish such technological progress but I think the analogy is sufficient.

Maybe it is because they enjoy the anonymity of the Internet. Yes I know that I am utilizing the same principle but here I am trying to communicate an opinion and seek similar ones, not trying to be /pretending to be a prepubescent agitator. I think there is a difference between hiding ones identity to make shallow comments, which I feel is the purpose of those that troll, and disguising one's name in order to discuss topics with like minded individuals.